THE OLDEST COMPLETE ARMENIAN MANUSCRIPT, KNOWN AS THE “OLD” GOSPEL OF BANANTS, IS CURRENTLY HELD AT MATENADARAN

Although the exact time and place of the manuscript’s writing are uncertain, archaeological evidence suggests that it dates back to the 7th century. Since the 16th century, the manuscript has been kept in Mets Banants village of Gardman province, where it was referred to as the “Old” or “Guardian” Gospel. In January of 1975, Bishop Teryan presented the manuscript to Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I with an inscription that reads: “… in memory of the late Our Lady, Siranuysh Palchyan, who dedicated our nation to the builder, patriot, kind and impeccable Patriarch…”. In July of that year, Catholicos Vazgen I presented the manuscript to Matenadaran, where it was named “Vehamor Avetaran” in memory of the Patriarch’s mother. Due to the manuscript’s antiquity, RA presidents swear on this Gospel during their inauguration. It is a miraculous and healing manuscript, and every year, the residents of Banants village come on a pilgrimage to Matenadaran to see it.

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